18 yr old underweight male, some help?

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Replies

  • tappae
    tappae Posts: 568 Member
    Eat more: nuts, nut butters, cheese and other calorie-dense foods.

    Lift weights: I'm sure other people can give you better advice about this.

    Be patient: as you get older, your testoterone level will increase and it will become easier for you to build muscle.
  • CarlKRobbo
    CarlKRobbo Posts: 390 Member
    Hi there everyone,

    I am 18 years old. I weigh 118lbs, 52kg and 8.1st to those in the UK.

    I am approximately 5' 11" / 6' tall and my chest size is 34" (85cm). My waist is around 29"

    I know that I am underweight, and to become a 'normal' weight, I'd need to weigh around 130lbs, around 60kg and 9.5st. Please correct me if I'm wrong!

    I was wondering if anyone had any advice for me to begin putting on weight. I'm a bit of a fussy eater and although I probably would've said I eat lots but don't put on weight, come to think of it I don't eat a lot.

    I don't exercise / do cardio whatsoever, so I'm not very active. I do have a 20kg set of dumbbells, if this helps. I don't do any weights though because I've no clue whether it could do damage if I'm not putting on weight at the same time & I've no clue what exercises to do.

    I am going on a school trip in the middle of March 2014 - I wanted to become a 'normal' weight by then. Do you guys think it's possible to do this and will it be hard work?

    Any advice would be greatly appreciated! Thanks again in advance

    Ok, so re: weights - they will not nessicarly do damage (Providing you do them right), in fact they are a good idea - I know a few people who lift and were underweight, In fact you'd be surprised how many people in the gym have been underweight at some point (My self included - 6.5 stone at 14 years old, at 5 foot 6!!) and used weights and food to gain the weight. I've failed to find a blog that one of the lads had though, that would have been ideal

    As for the training they did, they kept it basic - Squat\Deadlift\Bench\SOP\BOR\Pull-ups. Stronglifts\Starting Strength are good basic programs in the first instance.

    In general.

    Eat
    Train
    Eat
    Sleep
    Repeat
  • Lorix94
    Lorix94 Posts: 108 Member
    I am now bulking on 3150 calorie. believe it or not I used to eat 1900 calories back in the day. So as above EAT,TRAIN,REST,REPEAT

    AAAAnd if you dont want to train dont do it. just keep in mind that it would help you to put on some size.
  • skinnyinnotime
    skinnyinnotime Posts: 4,078 Member
    Put the TV on, get that video game controller, get a bag of chips and some tasty candy. Order some buffalo wings, get a pizza, have some soda. Sit back and watch the progress.

    Being someone who was overweight much of my younger life, I never could understand how people couldn't grasp the concept of gaining weight. Just eat a lot until you are at the weight you want to be.

    WTF. He wants to gain weight not make himself unhealthy eating a heap of crap.
  • Darcie45
    Darcie45 Posts: 52 Member
    Most of the advice given to you is right on target. weights to build muscle mass, protein and good fats and healthy carbs. My 17 year old son is 5'9, 114 lbs. He runs cross country and I am constantly trying to help him put weight on and my husband has him working out with weights. He has actually managed to gain 4 pounds. Milk shakes, carbs (he loves bread) peanut butter sandwiches, fish and chicken. Did I mention that he is a VERY picky eater? He isn't a fan of protein powder so I will put instant breakfast mix in his milk shake on the sly ;). Keep track of what you are eating, make sure you are eating MEALS and snacks.
  • stealthq
    stealthq Posts: 4,298 Member
    Put the TV on, get that video game controller, get a bag of chips and some tasty candy. Order some buffalo wings, get a pizza, have some soda. Sit back and watch the progress.

    Being someone who was overweight much of my younger life, I never could understand how people couldn't grasp the concept of gaining weight. Just eat a lot until you are at the weight you want to be.

    WTF. He wants to gain weight not make himself unhealthy eating a heap of crap.

    Pretty sure that was meant as sarcasm. Too bad the OP wasn't 100% sure about that.

    To answer the OP's earlier question. Yes, this method would let you gain fat, not muscle. Even as a young man, you will need to put in work to gain muscle.
  • lenoradegen
    lenoradegen Posts: 10
    Hi, I have a son with a similar problem. I certainly do not have it, but I may be able to help.

    My son has a condition called Cystic Fibrosis, so he has a medical reason for not gaining weight. First, remember that you are built a certain way. If your parents were thin, for example, you are probably not built to be huge. So keep in mind there are normal weights for us already in our DNA.

    I would recommend a visit to a nutritionist, or at least some reading up on foods and their levels of protein, carb, sugar, etc. There is some controversy about supplemental foods such as nutritional/weight gain shakes, but I have seen some huge success in people who use them. They are especially good for people who are picky eater, too busy to eat right, or unable to eat many foods.

    Just a suggestion. And even though exercise can burn calories, it can also stimulate your hunger and add muscle, so if you can find an activity you enjoy, please make it part of your routine!

    Best of luck and enjoy your trip!
  • Nickym26
    Nickym26 Posts: 2
    If your son needs any help/support or just another CFer I will gladly encourage and talk to him. I am 26 years old and have been living with CF since I was 22 months old. Maintaing weight can be tough, I however need to lose some. (my parents arent small people) Good luck in your travels and stay in touch! Breathe Deep!
  • navyrigger46
    navyrigger46 Posts: 1,301 Member
    OP, I'm 5'11", and I look straight skinny anywhere under 160. This morning I am 200 pounds even, and I wear a size 33-34, and medium tee-shirts, so you could probably stand to gain quite a bit. Your school has a gym, and you need to be in it. You can get on YouTube for lifting routines and advice for free. I recommend a 5X5 type program, or something of that nature focusing mainly on heavy compound movements (Squats, Deads, Rows, Bench and overhead press, some kind of clean, and some pull-ups.) As for eating, calculate your TDEE and go for 300-500 cals a day over TDEE, hit your macros and fill the rest of your day with full fat foods and lift 4-5 days a week. Add in a day or two of light cardio, maybe 30 minutes or so a week. Give it time and you'll be fine.

    Rigger
  • Trying2getFitNae
    Trying2getFitNae Posts: 1
    Drink Ensures every day with 3 course meals... and healthy snack.. with weight lifting , that will do the trick in no time
  • HungryasFuark
    HungryasFuark Posts: 463 Member
    1- Join a gym (
    2- Get a lifting routine for newbies its all over the internet , bodybuilding .com hasgood routines
    3- Be in a caloric surplus ( eat more than u burn ) , Eat some proteins( chicken , tuna , turkey , meat ,eggs,fish) but focus mainly on carbs ( rice , pasta , veggies , fruits , etc ) and fats ( nuts ,peanut butter , chocolates etc)
    4- Drink a lot of water 3 liters
    5 - Minimize Cardio 20min 3 or 4 times /week is enough
    6-Sleep well

    good luck !

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